New national parks will boost carbon reduction, conserve biodiversity, says NPS

The National Park Service (NPS) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling climate change through carbon reduction initiatives.

Ibrahim Goni, the conservator-general of the NPS, said the federal government approved the establishment of ten new national parks in 2020.

He added that this would play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and conserving the country’s natural resources.

He commended the federal government’s afforestation efforts, particularly its initiative to plant 25 million trees as part of broader climate action measures.

He also encouraged residents to participate in afforestation to restore degraded lands affected by erosion.

“The seven national parks provide a total area of vegetation of 20,000 square kilometres, and we are confident that it would sequestrate carbon by 4.8 million parts,” he said.

“This means that with the introduction of the new 10 national parks, carbon dioxide is going to be sequestrated.”

Goni said expanding Nigeria’s protected areas would enhance biodiversity conservation and help mitigate climate change impacts.

The new national parks include Alawa park in Niger state, Apoi and Edumenun parks in Bayelsa state, Galgore park in Kano state, and Hadejia Wetland park in Jigawa state.

Others are Kampe park in Kwara state, Kogo park in Katsina state, Marhi park in Nasarawa state, Oba Hill park in Osun state and Pandam park in Plateau state.